Kolkata: South African speedster Kyle Abbott feels that in a marathon tournament like IPL, losing a few matches at the onset does not necessarily mean end of the road for the 2014 finalists as they have played better than what the league table suggests.
Kings XI Punjab are at the bottom of the heap with two wins from seven games but Abbott feels that they are slowly climbing the upward graph after beating league toppers Gujarat Lions in their last game.
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"We are probably better than the results we have to show at the moment. It is important to get off to a good start and unfortunately we did not. It is also a tournament that allows you to almost have that kind of a start (losing a few games)," said Abbott.
He then cited defending champions Mumbai Indians' example of how their fledgling campaign was brought back on track last year.
"Last year Mumbai Indians didn't start off well but took off later and this year they have done it again. They didn't start well but at the moment they are sitting comfortably at the top of the table (second place)."
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"Although it is important to get momentum and get off to a good start though the tournament allows you a bit of grace to find your rhythm later on. We still have seven games left and all to play for to get into those playoffs position," Abbott said on the eve of their match against KKR here.
The team looked regrouped under new captain Murali Vijay, who took over from David Miller to relieve the South African from extra responsibilities.
"It has been a smooth transition. Vijay is a senior player and even when Miller was the captain, he always had something to say as a senior player should. He always got involved. It has carried on normally. It is just a different voice now. Vijay has always been there and never sat in the background. He always put in his opinion and I think he is going to do well in the next couple of games and the guys are behind him. We are looking forward to it," he said.
